Widescreen: After 'Mary Poppins,' there was 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'
Mary Poppins is back in the pop culture consciousness this week, starring in a sequel to the 1964 film that, like the magical nanny herself, is practically perfect in every way. But the original "Mary Poppins" wasn't the only live-action Disney movie directed by Robert Stevenson featuring an animated sequence, songs by the Sherman brothers and a legendary actress in the lead role.
"Bedknobs and Broomsticks" was released in 1971, five years after Uncle Walt's death, as a clear attempt to replicate his "Poppins" magic. Based on a book by Mary Norton, it tells the story of a witch named Eglantine Price (Angela Lansbury, who also appears in "Mary Poppins Returns") who takes three children under her broom during the Blitz. (Little Sean didn't get why this movie had the bad guys from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in it; big Sean can't believe those same bad guys are still making headlines in 2018.)
David Tomlinson is here, too, playing a con artist with a heart of gold - a far cry from the proper, put-upon Mr. Banks. He takes Eglantine and the kids to an English market where the film's most memorable song, "Portobello Road," gives way to an extended dance sequence.
There's room for fun nonsense words, too! Instead of Mary's super-you-know-what, "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" has a five-word incantation that brings inanimate objects to life: "Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Satis Dee." Eglantine uses this "substitutiary locomotion" spell in the third act when those nasty Nazis come to the south shore of England. A museum's collection of medieval armor springs to life to save the day ... and win the 1972 Oscar for best visual effects!
"Bedknobs and Broomsticks" is not streaming anywhere at the moment, but is available on DVD and Blu-ray and for digital rental and purchase.
Or see it on the big screen
"Bedknobs and Broomsticks" is the main attraction of a slate of live-action Disney classics (and not-so-classics) playing next week at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The screening series runs from Wednesday, Dec. 26, to Thursday, Jan. 3, and also includes "Newsies," "Return to Oz," "Heavyweights," "Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey," and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." Tickets are $11, $9 for seniors, $7 for kids under 12. See the full schedule and buy admission at musicboxtheatre.com.
Or see it on stage
Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, will present its world-premiere stage production of "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" from May 30 to July 28 next year, with book by Brian Hill and additional songs by Neil Bartram. Keep an eye on chicagoshakes.com for tickets, which are not yet available.
• Sean Stangland is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor. Follow him on Twitter at @SeanStanglandDH.